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What is the job of a datawarehouse administrator?

by Daniel J. Power
Editor, DSSResources.COM

The Data Warehouse Administrator supports the ongoing development and maintenance of data warehousing systems and data marts and the Hadoop environment. Supports the entire data development lifecycle, including data profiling, design and development, testing, and support. The DWA is the primary interface with the hardware support team, expert in the underlying systems and architecture.

The Enterprise Data Warehouse Administrator provides data warehouse support functions including database maintenance, development and enhancement. This position also is responsible for the administration of the enterprise data visualization tool, Tableau in support of the organizations data strategy and data products.

Position Scope:

Manage enterprise Oracle BI Platform, including but not limited to Oracle and Microsoft database technologies

Provide day-to-day operational support of the BI platform and related data warehouse.

Tasks include troubleshooting, code maintenance, upgrades, and system lifecycle planning

Design, develop, and document OBIEE repository/metadata

This position will involve using ETL tools to implement ETL interfaces between JD Edwards, other sources and Data Warehouses using ODI. Moving from Informatica to ODI. This person will work to resolve business cases and issues by developing functional and technical solutions

Work with customers to determine the scope and effort for projects, gather and document business and system requirements, develop solutions or work with external resources to develop solutions meeting the needs of the business

Perform System Administration related duties as required, which include but are not limited to implementing and maintaining Microsoft and Oracle database technologies, administering Oracle BI platform, ETL design and development

A Database Warehouse Architect/Administrator is responsible for the performance, scalability, security and support of a database. They will also be involved in the design, planning and development of the database, as well as troubleshooting system and customer issues.

The key role is to collaborate with data modeler, metadata specialist, business analysts and ETL team members to resolve complex data design issues/provide optimal solutions that meet business requirements/benefits system performance. Researches and evaluates alternative solutions and recommends the most efficient and cost effective solution. Monitor business use and performance of the data warehouse and provides feedback on data warehouse architecture, as well as provides mentoring and assistance in tuning to business partners and users.

Acting as the Architect, fulfills a coordination and leadership role in the development of technical strategies and solutions as related to Database, Data Model & ETL (Extract, Transform & Load). Also has extensive technical knowledge and experience in multiple core technology areas and integration, along with strong planning and analytical skills. Includes responsibility for data warehouse architecture and design and development of data model & ETL requiring multiple technologies. Also works as part of cross-functional teams that deal with the full spectrum of information management technology.

Individual must have a good working knowledge of different types of philosophies when it comes to design, development, support of data warehouse architecture, design and development of complex ETL and design and development of logical & physical data model using Kimball methodology of star schema. The Data Warehouse Architect/Admin must have proven competency in the following areas: working with large multi terabytes of data warehouse, performance tuning of database & SQL queries, designing & developing databases to support multiple users and complex ETL packages.

Works with various technical resources across the team to facilitate the development of technical standards. Must have the communication skills and ability to develop and present solutions to all levels of management, including executive levels. Participates in requirements gathering, discovery, and interfacing with technical and business teams - establishing credibility in terms of experience, presentation and leadership of solutions development. Evaluates proposed new systems and system changes and additions, provides oversight into the decision process, and participates in project implementation.